Author - Kuringa Team

Forum Theatre Play by Madalena – Berlin

Dieses Projekt beleuchtet Fragen der Zugehörigkeit, Identität und die Komplexität der Integration durch Klang. In einer schönen Melodie verbessern unterschiedliche Töne und Rhythmen die Musik. Wenn sich Rhythmen vermischen und neue entstehen, wird die Musik bereichert. In der Gesellschaft führen unterschiedliche Identitäten oft zu Problemen: Zweifel, Hass, Angst… Wie kann unter diesen Umständen eine Symphonie gespielt werden, wenn die Identität nur in Verbindung mit anderen, nicht allein, festgelegt wird? Wie kann man sich in eine neue Gesellschaft integrieren, ohne sich zu desintegrieren? Ist Integration nur Papiere, Pässe, Wohnungen und Jobs? Oder kann man all das haben und sich dennoch nicht integriert fühlen?

Madalena-Berlin ist eine feministische Gruppe des Theaters der Unterdrückten. Teil von KURINGA (Berlin). Unter der kreativen Leitung von Bárbara Santos nutzen sie das Forumtheater, um öffentliche Debatten anzustoßen, Ungerechtigkeiten zu identifizieren und das Publikum einzuladen, kollektive Strategien für Veränderungen zu suchen. Im Forumtheater, einer interaktiven Form des Theaters, stellt das Stück eine Frage an das Publikum und lädt sie ein, die auf der Bühne dargestellte Situation zu transformieren. Madalena-Berlin ist Teil des Ma(g)dalena Internationalen Netzwerks, das aus feministischen Theatergruppen aus Lateinamerika, Europa, Afrika und Asien besteht.

Integration-DES-Integration

Exploring themes of identity, this project exposes the questions of belonging and the complexities of integration through sounds. In a beautiful melody, distinct tones and rhythms enhance the music. When rhythms blend and create new ones, the music improves. In society, the more different we are, the greater the problems: doubt, hate, fear… How can a symphony be performed under these circumstances if identity is only established in connection with others – not alone? How can one integrate into a new society without disintegrating ? Is integration just papers, passports, flats and jobs? Or can you have all of that, but still not feel integrated?

Madalena-Berlin is a feminist Theatre of the Oppressed group, part of KURINGA (Berlin). Under the creative direction of Bárbara Santos, they use Forum Theatre to stimulate public debates, identify injustices, and invite the audience to seek collective strategies for change. In Forum Theatre, an interactive form of theatre, the play poses a question to the audience, inviting them to transform the situation depicted on stage. Madalena-Berlin is part of the Ma(g)dalena International Network, composed of feminist theatre groups from Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

As part of our qualification course week, Bárbara Santos will be presenting her book, “Teatro de Las Oprimidas: Feminist Aesthetics for a Political Poetics,“ from the newly published English translation. This special event will serve as the opening for the Forum Theater Weekend, which kicks off the following day and the closure of the Aesthetics Trajectories Workshop.

The book ‘s primary objective is to reframe perceptions of oppression and the associated responsibility to initiate change, all while avoiding the pitfalls of individualizing the issue or assigning blame to the people who contend with it. Alongside a comprehensive breakdown of the repertoire of original exercises, games, and techniques, as well as a series of adaptations rooted in the Theatre of the Oppressed method systematized by Augusto Boal, this book provides practical demonstrations of the method’s applicability. It draws upon the real-world experiences of various theater groups spanning different regions of the world to illustrate its effectiveness and its nuanced adaptation to local social systems.

This is a unique opportunity to discover the creative process of Bárbara Santos as detailed in her book. What challenges did she face exploring the portrayal of oppressions intertwined with gender, race, and class from a structural standpoint ? What does “Teatro de las Oprimidas” mean? And, Ma(g)galena International Network?

Where:          Studio 14 – UferStudios ( Badstr. 41, Wedding)

When:            21 August 2024, 7pm (with a public exhibition) 

Language:   Book presentation – English 

The book was originally released in Portuguese in 2019, translated into Spanish in 2020, and finally translated into English in 2023.

To acquire a copy of the book, interested readers can reach out to KURINGA directly for purchase options and further information: kuringa@kuringa.org

moving and being moved

How do we move creating an image and how are we moved by the created image?

In this two afternoon’s workshop we, Bárbara Santos and Anaïs Héraud, propose a performative experience to produce portraits. A process of painting with a self-reflection using a repertoire of original exercises, games, and theatre techniques, employing feminist aesthetics from an anti-racist, decolonial, and community perspective. In this workshop the act of painting, drawing and building images will be developed from and through the encounter between personal and collective stories. It will result in a collective exhibition that will be shown at the UferStudio and accompagnies by a presentation of Bárbara Santos new book: “Teatro de las Oprimidas – Feminist Aesthetics for Political Poetics”. The workshop is open to everyone and doesn’t require any artistic knowledge or experience. The work will be mainly practically: body work, draw and paint.

Facilitators: 

Anaïs Héraud is an artist and member of the Ma-g-dalena International Network: 

“A year ago, Bárbara Santos asked me to produce an image to the cover of her book. My idea was incorporate her proposal of feminist aesthetics in a portrait. The painting happened in a performative process expressing the encounter between the writer and her painter. This become an inspiration to this workshop.”

Bárbara Santos is artistic director of the KURINGA theatre space in Berlin and founder of the Ma-g-dalena International Network, made up of theater groups and artist-activists from Latin America, Africa, and Europe. “The process of producing the portrait for the cover of my book became a dynamic artistic experience, which included meetings in Cafés, ateliers and theatre space. This workshop is kind of result of that.”

Where:           UferStudios

When:            20 and 21 August 2024

                        Workshop: 20th, 5pm-9pm and 21st, 5pm-7pm 

                        Public exhibition: 21st, 7pm-9pm (with a book presentation.) 

Language:     Workshop – English and/or German (but talking is not the main focus). 

                        Book presentation – English 

Contribution : 50€ + 5 € material

Registration : qualification@kuringa.org

Please contact us with any special needs and bring clothes in which you can move and paint.

19 August , 19.30 @UferStudios , Studio 14 ( Badstr. 41, Wedding )

Physical Theatre-Stück mit Volksliedern und Tänzen verschiedener Nationen.

Was bleibt, wenn nur noch Asche bleibt? Auf der Suche nach der Zukunft lohnt ein Blick zurück auf das, was war. Welche vergessenen und marginalisierten Lieder, Tänze, Rituale können eine Erzählung darüber schaffen, was uns als Menschen ausmacht? Auf der Bühne entsteht das Bild einer kleinen, globalen Dorfgemeinschaft, in deren Leben das Publikum eingeladen wird. So vereinen sich Fragmente traditioneller Lieder & Choreographien mit physischem Theater, Puppen- und Maskenspiel sowie Livemusik in Bandbesetzung.

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/880651310/b061114eab?share=copy  

Regie: Bernhard Bub

Länge: 60 Minuten

Sprache: Nonverbal

www.antagon.de

–

Antagon theaterAKTion: 

„ASHES“

Physical Theatre-production with folk songs and dances from different nations.

What remains, when only ashes remain? In search for the future, it is worth taking a look back to what has been. Which forgotten and marginalised songs, dances, rituals can create a narrative about what makes us human?

On stage, the image of a small, global village community emerges, into whose life the audience is invited. Fragments of traditional songs & choreographies with are merged with physical theatre, puppet and mask play as well as live music from the antagon band.

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/880651310/b061114eab?share=copy  

Direction: Bernhard Bub

Lenght: 60 Minuten

Language: Nonverbal

www.antagon.de

A workshop facilitated by Bárbara Santos

In the Theatre of the Oppressed (TO), a method systematized by Augusto Boal, staging must provoke reflection and encourage action. In other words, theatre is not enough.

The Legislative Theatre, on of TO’s techniques, was developed between 1993-96, when Augusto Boal was a representative of the Rio de Janeiro City Council and there was an urgent need for action. Bárbara Santos has been the head of office and acting as Kuringa of several popular groups at the same time. She was deeply linked to this process, also in terms of its conception and structuring. The team worked with dozens of community groups on their local issues through Forum Theatre productions. They organized public events in which the audience could discuss and draft bills ensuring that the proposals voted and approved could have the appropriate referrals through the mandate. The real life of the theatre groups members was the starting point and inspiration for the Forum Theatre pieces. And the Legislative Theatre sessions were the collective exercise of seeking of alternatives to transform that reality.

The City Council procedures guided the development of the Legislative Theatre during the mandate and afterwards, when the technique was disseminated among Theatre of the Oppressed practitioners and has been expanding its focus beyond drafting laws. Since then, Legislative Theatre did not refer only to questions directly linked to legislation. It could still address the creation of a new law or the modification of an already existing law. But it also became a claim for specific policies, or the organizing of a public action, for a petition or another form of mobilization. 

Since 2016, together with several theatre groups from Ma-g-dalena International Network of Teatro de las Oprimidas, Bárbara Santos has been developed a Legislative Theatre experience in line with their feminist -antiracist/decolonial/community- practice.

“To do so, we eliminated solemnity of the transition between the Forum and the Legislative sessions, which was meant to symbolically represent the rites of the City Council; We carefully reinforced the articulation with associations and social movements to guarantee both a committed audience and the organizational support for subsequent actions; We replaced the central coordination of the process with a decentralization of the discussion between small groups, collectivizing the drafting of the proposals in order to horizontalize the relationship between experts and audience and avoid the reproduction of power structures.”

Bárbara Santos

In 2019, Bárbara Santos developed a workshop model to spread this practice among Ma-g-dalena Network practitioners. Through a creative process participants are searching for themes and/or struggles, which can represent a meeting point and a common ground among them to produce a Forum Theater play. Allies, experts, and the audience interested on the upcoming topics are invited for a Legislative Session in which the theatre production is going to be the channel to deepen discussions, analyze the social problem represented and develop collective proposals for the implementation of concrete and continuous actions.

From August 29^th to September 1^st, for the first time in Berlin, Bárbara Santos will facilitate a Feminist Legislative Theatre workshop based on feminist aesthetics with an original repertoire of exercises, games, and techniques from the Teatro de las Oprimidas and a Legislative Session in a public event at the end. 

This workshop is open to all people interested in aesthetic tools to provoke reflection and encourage action. 

When:            August 29^th till September 1^st, 2024 (Total: 25h)

Timetable:     Thursday and Friday, 4pm-9pm / Saturday, 10am-6pm

            Sunday, course: 11am-4pm and public event 5pm-7pm

Where:           KURINGA Berlin (Grüntaler Str. 35, 13359 Berlin)

Who:             Adults / Artists / Activists / Social Workers / No gender restriction    

Language:     English  

Info:               qualification@kuringa.org

Welcome to the Forum Theatre Weekend, an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of participatory theatre and experience the innovative approach developed by KURINGA with collective interventions and impacting artistic expression.

Dates: August 22nd, 23rd and 24th
Time: Performances at 6:30PM and 8:30 PM
Location: Uferstudios (Badstraße 41, Wedding)

Forum theatre is a form of participatory theatre that invites the audience to become active and interact directly with the themes and injustice situations presented on stage. In this context, the audience has the opportunity to intervene in the narrative, perform their strategies and generate dialogues that promote reflection and social change.

During the Forum Theatre Weekend, you will have the opportunity to witness performances by groups related to Kuringa, who explore a wide range of social and political issues through forum theatre: colonialism, identity, toxic masculinity…

These performances offer an insight into contemporary realities, providing the audience with a deeply enriching experience and the chance to perform their proposals, fostering collective power to transform the injustice scenarios enacted on stage.

PROGRAM

22 August

18:30: Bralin,  “ Unfair Trades”  a decolonial play 

23 August

18: 30: Masculinities Lab , a play about toxic masculinity

 20:30: KURINGA international cast , Regie Bárbara Santos & Till Baumann 

24 August

18:30: Madalena- Berlin “Integration- DES- Integration”  , a play about identity

 20:30: KURINGA international cast , Regie Bárbara Santos & Till Baumann

Kuringa works on Theatre of the Oppressed from a feminist, anti-colonial, anti-racist, and intersectional perspective. With dedication, it explores new dimensions, elevating aesthetic elements through a carefully attention to the artistic richness offered by this form of expression, keeps the focus on evolving the methodology, creating a space for open dialogue aimed at discovering practical strategies that can be replicated beyond the stage.

The Forum Theatre Weekend in August is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of participatory theatre and explore new forms of artistic and social expression.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Ticket Information: Tickets can be collected directly at the venue. We recommend a solidarity contribution of 5-10 euros to support Kuringa in self-organizing this event.

Your participation in this experiment of revolution is greatly appreciated.

Questions & information : qualification@kuringa.org

Have you ever wondered how theater can be a powerful tool for promoting social justice and community change? Or how theatrical techniques can be used to stimulate dialogue and reflection on important issues?

If so, then our Introduction to Theatre of the Oppressed workshop is for you!

This is an invitation to a unique learning and discovery experience, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore techniques and fundamental principles of Theatre of the Oppressed, developed by the renowned Brazilian playwright Augusto Boal. Our unique and distinctive style is influenced by the innovative approach of Bárbara Santos, who continues to develop the methodology with an intersectional feminist perspective and a special attention to the aesthetics.

At the heart of our approach is the understanding that theater can be a powerful form of community engagement and social transformation. We are excited to offer the Introduction to Theatre of the Oppressed Workshop, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore these concepts and techniques in a practical and dynamic way directly with our experienced facilitators, Eva Gloria and João Albertini.

During the workshop, we’ll explore different theatrical techniques, such as image theatre, forum theatre and games to stimulate dialogue and reflection.

Additionally, we want to emphasize that the safety and well-being of participants are our top priority. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

No previous theater experience is necessary – this workshop is open to everyone, regardless of your skill level or experience.

If you’re ready to explore new forms of expression and connect with other participants, send us an email to register qualification@kuringa.org and join the Introduction to Theatre of the Oppressed workshop!

Workshop Details:

• Date: July 13th and 14th
• Time: 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Location: KURINGA ( Grüntalerstr. 35, 3
• Price: €150
• Registration: qualification@kuringa.org

We look forward to seeing you there!

 “Theater is a form of knowledge; it is the place where individuals can model new worlds, new realities, and new possibilities.” – Augusto Boal

 “Games and exercises” is an immersive workshop inspired by Augusto Boal’s groundbreaking book “Games for actors and non-actors”. Led by Christoph Leucht, director of KURINGA, artistic director of the acclaimed forum group WIR SIND HIER!, and a key contributor to the Masculinities Lab, this workshop promises to be enrich your knowledge 

In this dynamic workshop, you’ll explore a series of games and exercises specifically designed to expand your repertoire, spark creativity and cultivate critical thinking—practical tools you can apply in your workshops or while developing forum theater performances. You’ll have the opportunity to design a session, explore the reasons behind exercise selection and understand the intentionality behind the structure and sequence.

Christoph’s extensive experience and expertise in applied theater ensure that participants will not only acquire new techniques but also gain profound insights into the transformative power of theater as a catalyst for social change.

This workshop is open to everyone, especially those interested in expanding their repertoire of Theater of the Oppressed exercises. It’s ideal for educators, community leaders, activists, artists, and anyone passionate about social justice and creative expression. While no prior theater experience is required, participants with some background who wish to deepen their toolkit are particularly welcome.

By participating in this workshop, you’l acquire valuable tools, you will engage with a supportive community dedicated to use theater for positive change.

WHEN: 29, 30 , 31 August 2025

Registration: qualification@kuringa_team

Kuringa is a self-funded association that relies on the contributions from participants in our workshops. We want to emphasize that by paying for our workshops, participants are directly supporting the existence and continuity of political work through art that we carry out. The funds raised are allocated to maintaining our activities, which primarily aim to raise social awareness and promote change through artistic expressions committed to justice and social transformation. We deeply appreciate the support of all those who participate in our workshops and contribute to the strengthening of our work.

The workshop “Feminist Aesthetics for Political Poetics – TEATRO DE LAS OPRIMIDAS” delves into the challenges and discoveries made during practical applications developed since 2010 with theater groups and artist-activists from Latin America, Europe and Africa. And theoretical formulation of a theatrical methodology dedicated to the portrayal of oppressions intertwined with the intersections of gender, race and class, all from a structural standpoint. Our objective is to reframe perceptions of oppression and the associated responsibility to initiate change, all while avoiding the pitfalls of individualizing the issue or assigning blame to the people who contend with it.

We work with a repertoire of original exercises, games, and techniques, employing feminist aesthetics from an anti-racist, decolonial, and community perspective, in a practical demonstration of the method’s applicability. Also working with the strategies for enacting a theatrical dialogue that is both horizontal and contextual to foster a collaborative atmosphere among audience members during Forum Theatre proposals, enabling collective interactions. In this dynamic, each individual, drawing from their unique social standing and position, collaborates with others to collectively craft and improvise alternatives to the problem being portrayed on stage. 

This workshop is open to all people interested in aesthetic tools which aim of a view to dismantling patriarchy.

Bárbara Santos @barbara.kuringa

Playwright, director, actress, kuringa, author, poet/melodist, screenwriter, filmmaker, researcher and feminist-anti-racist-decolonial activist, Bárbara Santos is the artistic director of the KURINGA theater space and the Madalena-Berlin group in Berlin, Germany; consultant to the Center for the Theatre of the Oppressed, editor of METAXIS magazine and artistic director of the groups Cor do Brasil, Madalena-Anastácia, and Cia Teatral CTO RIO, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and founder of the Ma-g-dalena International Network of Teatro de las Oprimidas, made up of theater groups from Latin America, Africa, and Europe. Her artistic journey includes diverse experiences in more than 40 countries.

Over the span of her career, Bárbara has researched and developed innovative artistic approaches that deal with the intersections between gender, race, and class from a contextual perspective, through feminist aesthetics, with a focus on creative sound and rhythmic paths. These artistic processes have been systematized in three books she has written, including Teatro de las Oprimidas – feminist aesthetics for political poetics, published in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. 

As a performer, she explores the aesthetic transition from the colonized body to the political body. 

Cinema has been her main area of activity as an actor, with a highlight being her performance as Filomena (Filó) in The Invisible Life (by Karim Aïnouz), winner of the Grand Prix at the Un Certain Regard showcase in Cannes 2019, which earned her a nomination for best supporting actress for the 2020 Brazilian Cinema Grand Prix. In 2023, she made her debut as a filmmaker and screenwriter with Ash Wednesday, a medium-length musical film with her music, selected for BERLINALE (Germany), Rio Film Festival (Brazil), War on Screen (France), Filmets Badalona (Spain), among others, throughout 2023.

Kuringa is a self-funded association that relies on the contributions from participants in our workshops. We want to emphasize that by paying for our workshops, participants are directly supporting the existence and continuity of political work through art that we carry out. The funds raised are allocated to maintaining our activities, which primarily aim to raise social awareness and promote change through artistic expressions committed to justice and social transformation. We deeply appreciate the support of all those who participate in our workshops and contribute to the strengthening of our work.